It would be hard for me to describe to you how great MOONALICE was Friday night @ Don Quixote's in Felton. And I paid $10 to hear this?? Can't be possible.
If you're outside of the Bay area there's a good chance you have never heard of these guys. They are a collection of five veteran Bay area all-star musicians. Basically they are an incredibly talented and versatile bunch who would have to be put in the "Jam Band" genre. At times they REALLY channel the Dead. It's impossible to predict what you are going to hear next...........a long jaw-dropping diverse jam, some pretty country, or a cover like the Dead's "Friend Of The Devil", The Byrd's "Eight Miles High", or some Derek and The Dominoes ("I Looked Away", "Keep On Growing"). I'll be honest, the vocals are passable........nothing to write home about. With musicianship like this, you don't have to have a voice like Paul Rodgers. I don't know what else to tell you, people, other than GO SEE THIS BAND. They'll be at The Little Fox in Redwood City on December 6th @ 7:00 PM, $10 advance, $14 @ the door.
Let me run down the lineup. Before I do: You can watch AND listen to tonight's show at Sweetwater Music Hall in Mill Valley at www.moonalice.com.
Roger McNamee: Guitar, bass, vocals (The Engineers, Flying Other Brothers). McNamee is an obscenely wealthy venture capitalist who is pursuing his muse. His wealth most likely is responsible for a lot of the perks involved in following this band, like the beautiful poster you'll receive free at any show, the live HD streams of their shows, the archived shows which you can access on their website, or the professional light show which serves as a backdrop at their live performances.
Pete Sears: Keyboards, guitar, bass, vocals. (The original Jefferson Starship, Hot Tuna, Phil Lesh & Friends). Sears is on Rod Stewart's classic Gasoline Alley (1970). Yeah, he's been rubbing elbows with the greats for just a few years.
Barry Sless: Guitar, pedal steel guitar (Phil Lesh & Friends, David Nelson Band, Kingfish, Cowboy Jazz). A tremendous musician who really channels Jerry at times.
John Molo: Drums (Bruce Hornsby, John Fogerty, Phil Lesh & Friends, The Other Ones).
Jason Crosby: Keyboards, violin, guitar, bass (Robert Randolph, Susan Tedeschi, Carlos Santana, Eric Clapton). An incredibly versatile and talented musician who you really have to hear live to appreciate. If all he played was piano he'd be a monster. Check Crosby out further at www.jasoncrosby.com.
[Edited on 10/27/2015 by robslob]
Left to right: Pete Sears, Jason Crosby, John Molo, Roger McNamee, Barry Sless
Jason Crosby..........otherwise known as MONSTER...........
[Edited on 10/25/2015 by robslob]
Thanks for the review. I wish they would come back to the southeast. I saw them years back when GE Smith was touring with them (at a funky place called Skipper's Smokehouse outside of Tampa). I have seen some great shows there). I recall cornering GE and saying, "I know this sounds weird, but you lay out better than any musician I've heard." He cracked up, and I thought I offended him. He then thanked me and said he tried to instill that in the band all the time. I'm a big fan of Sless, but he overplayed on that night.
Jealous.
Blooby
[Edited on 10/26/2015 by Blooby]
Don't forget that Jason Crosby was with Oteil and the Peacemakers! I love his touches on "Family Secret" - one of my favorite ABB sprout records.
Moon Alice has (or has had) a rotating cast and setlist. I saw them in Macon a few years ago with G.E. Smith and Jack Cassidy. I don't think they tour or play for the money. Cheap tickets and a lot of free schwag (posters, pins, etc.). A great show to catch!
Never caught them live but viewed a few vids.
The current lineup has been steady for a couple years outside the addition of JC.
Agreed the music is great and vocals are ok, kind of like many jambands.
Also I like jambands because they "overplay".
I saw these guys in 2008 at The Park West in Chicago. Had never heard of them. I went away very impressed and bought three of their CDs. They opened for Tea Leaf Green that night. At the end of Tea Leaf's show during the encore the guys from Moonalice came out and I swear it seemed like there were 30 guys on stage playing awesome jam music.
If you ever get the chance, check them out (both bands actually). I don't think you will be disappointed.
Everything in Moderation. Including Moderation.
I've been meaning to go see them and was happy they were on the bill at this year's Lockn'. They didn't disappoint. They put on a fine showing at a festival that was loaded with great acts.
